PITTSBURGH,None — The sister of a man killed Friday by police officers said the shooting was senseless, and she wants justice.
Lawrence Jones was shot and killed by undercover police officers after they pulled him over along Brownsville Road in Knoxville for a traffic violation.
Tequilla Jones said her brother was on his way to finish Christmas shopping.
"It was a senseless murder, and it's tearing us apart," Jones said. "It's just not right what they did to him. He was just going about his day. He was supposed to come home for Christmas."
Jones was pulled over at about 4 p.m., and officers said he had a gun in his lap. The officers said Jones tried to drive off but crashed into the back of a van.
The street was very busy and a lot of witnesses said they heard nine shots ring out.
"That right there tells me it was overkill," said Jones' father, Emmitt Reese. "That officer deserves to be prosecuted and put in jail. It was a senseless murder, and he didn't deserve to be shot the way he was shot."
Reese admitted his son wasn't perfect and had a criminal history, but said he didn't own a gun.
"I know he never had a weapon," Reese said. "He doesn't sell drugs. He's not in a gang. He stays to himself. I know he would never pull a weapon on a cop."
Authorities have not said yet why they pulled Jones over. Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper said the officers responded correctly because they believed Jones was ready to fire on them.
The District Attorney's Office is now investigating the incident.
Previous Stories: December 23, 2011: Man Fatally Shot By Police During Traffic Stop
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